James S Armstrong

James Stanley Armstrong of Anthem, Arizona passed away Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015, at the age of 92. He was born August 19, 1922 in Alvin, Texas to Charles and Ardis Armstrong. Jim was an Eagle Scout, a WWII veteran, a sheet metal worker journeyman and long-time member of Union Local #359. He served on a minelayer in US Navy. Often saying, “Where the Navy goes we have already been.” Jim saw action in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and the Pacific. After the war he moved to Arizona where he met and married Audrey Toncray, a marriage of 66 yrs. An avid outdoorsman for many years he shared his knowledge and expertise with the youth in his church. He is survived by wife, Audrey, children: David and Keith Armstrong and Alicia Wason, sister, Betty Estes, grandchildren: Galen Armstrong, Alden Armstrong, and Mikayla Wason, Also several nieces and nephews. Celebration of life will be on Saturday April 18th at 10:00. First Southern Baptist Church, 3100 East Camelback. Viewing at 9:00. In lieu of flowers family request donations to First Southern Baptist Church in memory of James Armstrong.

JAMES STANLEY ARMSTRONG

August 19, 1922 -- April 5, 2015

James Stanley Armstrong passed away Easter Sunday April 5, 2015, at the age of 92. He was born August 19, 1922 in Alvin, Texas to Charles and Ardis Armstrong.

Growing up, James enjoyed sports especially football and softball. Talented musically, he played the baritone horn in school bands.

Living in Texas on the Gulf of Mexico his interest in sailing and fishing led him to excel in the Sea Scouts earning its highest honor that of an Eagle Scout.

Jim liked to brag that as a youngster he would earn pocket money as a caddie. He was proud of the hunting knife he purchased. It became a prize possession.

During WWII he joined the US Navy. Jim served as a Machinist Mate on a minelayer. There motto is “Where the navy goes we have already been,.” He saw action in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and the Pacific. After the service he came to Arizona where he met and married Audrey Toncray, the boss’s daughter. Jim became a Sheet Metal Worker journeyman, and for over 60 years a member of Union Local #359 .

Jim and Audrey were married at the church on 3rd Street and Moreland in 1949 by Dr. C. Vaughn Rock. Jim became a member of First Southern Baptist church that same year. In January, Jim and Audrey celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. Jim loved playing softball with the church’s excellent fast pitch softball team. He often went hunting with Dr. Rock, Cecil Wood, Clarence Watson, and S.F. Hawkins, but his greatest passion was fishing.

He shared his love of the outdoors with the Royal Ambassadors (RAs), teaching the boys survival skills, hunter-safety skills, camping and orienteering. He took them backpacking into the Arizona wilderness, hiking the Grand Canyon, and camping in Arizona’s beautiful forest areas. They went fishing, and floated down the Salt River. He and Audrey became youth choir parents sometimes driving groups in their motor home to Glorieta, NM, or with Paul and Barbara Barnes on youth choir tours. They often took the young people tubing in the snow. Jim worked with the youth and the Royal Ambassadors for many years helping make being a youth at First Southern exciting and desirable.

He is survived by his wife Audrey, there three children and spouses: David (Heather Crittenden) Armstrong, Keith Armstrong, and Alicia (Craig) Wason, one sister, Betty Estes, three grandchildren: Galen Armstrong, Alden Armstrong, and Mikayla Wason, and several nieces and nephews

Jim always had a wonderful sense of humor, a contagious smile, and a pleasing sweet personality. He was kind and friendly ready to help wherever needed. Toward the end of his life his greatest joy was attending church. Easter Sunday Jim listened to a Heavenly Choir.